DescriptionFrom Yssingeaux (there is a free autoroute from Lyon - the N88) you climb 400 meters over 16km but there are some sections of 8%.

Usual 4x8 min intervals. Timed it better to finish the intervals on the climb and a part of the descent.

First intervals for a long time. I decided to try 4x8. First set was hard but after ok but need a bit of a slope to get the HR up.

Not as quick as May due to the heat, VAM of 900, not bad. The climb has quite a bit of shade, so not bad on a hot day.

First ride since my accident on the Madeleine. I was pleased to be able to stand up when necessary. I'm 4kg lighter than last summer and it felt easier on the climb but only a PR on the last section.

The climb was harder at the end than I remembered. In general it felt quite easy, not like I was really killing it. It took 32m44s for the complete climb with a VAM of over 900.

Relaxing the legs after the drive over from France. Managed not to miss the short cut turn back to Orta this time.

The Col du Rousset is just of the Freydieres climb but the lack of surface on the north side means it is rarely visited by bike. Just two other riders on Strava, both on MTBs.

Usual mix of steep Italian ramps and bad roads. The surfaced road ends just after Cassano so this is just a little tour of the foothills. The Orta backcountry is not overly interesting.

I hadn't been out on the bike for some time so took the opportunity of a dry day to ride into work then up the Venon climb.